Hotline

The state Health Department has set up a hotline to answer Minnesotans’ questions about Ebola and precautions against the disease. The line will be staffed during regular business hours, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is helping pranksters again this April Fools’ Day. The zoo has set up four fake hotlines to help fool your co-workers, family and friends. Each hotline has a special pre-recorded message. You can trick people into calling Mr. Lion at 651-487-8266, Ms. Ella Fint at 651-487-8267, Ms. Wolf at 651-487-8268 or Ms. Anna Conda at 651-487-8289.

A local teen crisis center is feeling some relief after a crisis of their own. The hotline for suicidal and abused teens run by The Bridge for Youth was restored late Wednesday after being blocked off for a day after someone took it over, possibly leaving teens in danger. A cyber security expert says it’s likely the perpetrator used a computer program to create an onslaught of calls to jam up the hotline.